EFFECT OF SELECTION FOR GROWTH RATE ON CARCASS AND MEAT COMPOSITION IN RABBITS

Effect of selection for growth rate on carcass and meat chemical composition in rabbit was studied. Animals from a control (C) group (7 th generation, n=60) and a selected (S) group (21 st , n=60) were bred contemporarily and slaughtered at 63 days of age. Liveweight and carcass weight was higher for the selected group, but there were no differences in dressing out percentage. Selected animals were better conformed. The hind part percentage was lower in the selected group, although selection did not affect the percentage of the other parts of the carcass and most of the viscera. Meat to bone ratio in the hind leg and therefore in the carcass did not differ between groups. Selected animals showed a higher percentage of dissectible fat and it seems that have a higher fat percentage in the meat of the hind leg, that leads to a lower moisture content.